A major apartment development on Connaught Street has been granted planning permission by Westmeath County Council, confirmation of such expected to prove the catalyst for the rejuvenation of the west side of Athlone.
Planning permission for the development was initially submitted in August 2021, the developer, Ledbro Ltd, proposing to demolish a derelict two-storey pub and a shed to be replaced by a 29-unit apartment development arranged in two blocks on a site at 20 Connaught Street, 7 Patrick Street, and Harry’s Lane.
The construction of a retail unit, communal open space, amenity space and semi-basement car park was also detailed on the original planning permission submitted.
Westmeath County Council subsequently raised concerns about what it felt was an “overly excessive” density of apartments on the 0.12 hectare site, indicating that it was not satisfied with the proposed project submitted for planning permission.
As a result of such concerns, Ledbro Ltd revised their original plans with apartment density reduced from 29 to 21 units and the building’s height upon construction reduced from 4/5 storeys to 3/4 storeys.
The revised planning permission awarded noted that two apartments would be made available to the local authority for use as social or affordable housing with an “indicative cost” of approximately €350,000 per unit.
The developer is planning to build the apartments to a high standard of energy efficiency, stating that an A2 energy rating would be targeted.
Welcoming the granting of planning permission for this long awaited development, Cllr Aengus O’Rourke, Cathaoirleach, Westmeath County Council, noted that the project had the potential to “kick start” a revival of Connaught Street.
“It is almost a year since the original plans for a complete redevelopment of the ‘pink elephant’ building adjacent to Beaumont’s pub and directly across from Bastion Court were submitted to the council and following much consultation, a number of further information requests and a redesign of the profile of the building, Westmeath County Council granted permission this week.
“The works will consist of the demolition of a derelict two-storey public house and the construction of a five-storey mixed use scheme arranged over two blocks. The proposal will consist of residential apartments, one retail unit, an amenity space, semi-basement car park, communal open space and associated ancillary spaces,” Cllr O’Rourke asserted.
The Cathaoirleach, who has been liaising with the project developer in this regard, stated that, in terms of scale and investment, the project is the biggest since the construction of Bastion Court 16 years previously.
Continued on page 2
“I am absolutely delighted to see this ambitious proposal receive planning permission. I have been working with the project developer and his agents for many months now and I am therefore very relieved to see all that hard work pay off.
“This is a huge project in terms of scale and investment, the biggest since Frank Kelly’s Bastion Court over sixteen years ago, but it is also huge in terms of its potential to kick-start a revival of Connaught Street.
“This potential has been foremost in my mind. I have always felt it would take such a vast development to prompt a revival of Connaught Street and so, hopefully, this project will be that ‘kick-starter’. I wish to thank the planning office in Westmeath County Council for their diligence and professionalism all the way through this process.
“Next year, we will see Westmeath County Council commence work at a number of the council owned properties on the west side of our town. I am still working closely with Lidl head office with a view to making a further planning application for the site in Baylough. We need this to happen and I will keep working with the stakeholders to see that investment come to fruition.
“The future is a lot brighter for the west side of Athlone on foot of this particular planning permission approval and I am delighted for all concerned,” Cllr O’Rourke concluded.
